Grave vault



wJune 270, 1933. H. l. MCARTHUR GRAVE VAULT Filed June 22, 1952 Home y June 20, 1933. H. MCARTHUR GRAVE VAULT Filed June 422, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented .lune 20, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE HOMER I. MCARTI-IUR, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA GRAVE Application filed June 22,

This invention relates to a device which is in the nature of a sealed covering for caskets, casket boxes and the like providing a hermetic seal for the casket or casket box, thereby preserving both the casket, or casket box and the remains contained in the casket.

The invention together with its numerous objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the seal or vault in its fully sealed casket encompassing position.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough showing the casket arranged therein.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the seal with the casket removed.

Figure l is a fragmentary sectional elevational view through one corner of the seal with the parts shown prior to the complete sealing.

Figure 5 is a plan View of the said blank V forming part of the invention, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a corner of the lead covering.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that the invention comprises the provision of an inner container or frame including a bottom 10, sides 11 and ends 12. This box or frame is preferably made of wood. An outer covering for the box is provided, and the same consists of a blank l of virgin lead of any desired thickness and the blank comprises a bottom or body portion 13, and the blank is also folded on parallel fold lines 14 which connect sides 15 to the body 13, and on fold lines 16 which connect ends 17 to the body.

As is thought apparent the covering of lead is applied to the exterior of the aforementioned box or frame and when so applied, the body 13 of the cover will cover the outer face of the bottom 10 while the sides 15 will cover the outer faces 11 of the box and the ends 17 the outer faces of the box ends 12.

The sides 16 and ends 17 are of greater depth than the sides and ends of the box as VAULT 1932. Serial No. 613,749.

is apparent from a study of Figure 2 and adjacent their upper edges there is soldered or otherwise secured to the inner faces of the sides 15 and ends 17 of the lead covering, flanges 18 of lead or the like adapted to rest on the upper edges of the sides 11 and ends 12Yof the box as is shown in Figure 2. The iianges 18 may be in the nature of a single rectangular frame having its outer edge soldered to the sides 15 and ends 17 as suggested in Figure 6.

Wit-h the lead cover thus applied to the box or frame the coffin suggested by broken lines in Figure 2 and designated by the reference character 19 is placed within the box or frame after which a cover 20 of wood or similar material, provided for closing the open top of the box or frame, is placed in position and is spaced from the upper edges of the box or frame sides 11, and ends 12 through the medium of the flanges 13.

Over the top face of the cover 20 is placed a cover sheet 21 of lead after which the edge portions 15a of the sides 15 and also the upper edge portion 17a' of the ends 17 are folded over the plate 21 and secured thereto by a process known as lead burning, or by casting or stamping.

It will also be noted that the end edges 15b of the sides 15 are foldable inwardly against the ends 12 of the box and at their marginal edges soldered or otherwise secured to the adjacent edges of the end 17 so that a complete hermetical seal is provided for the enclosed casket 19.

The casket 19 so sealed may then be placed either in the grave or in a vault as found desirable.

From the foregoing it will thus be seen that I have provided a seal or protective casing for Gaskets or casket boxes which is inexpensive, moistureproof, airtight, strong and durable, and which will be found well adapted for the purpose desired, and while I have herein described the box or frame as being made of wood, it is to be understood that any other desirable material may be used, as for example a composition, sheet marble or metal; and likewise, while I have herein stated the covering as being made of lead, it is to be understood that other fusi ble or soft metal may be employed, although lead has been found to be preferable.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of further changes, modifications and improvements coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A seal protective casing for caskets, casket boxes and analogous purposes comprising a bottom, sides and ends formed of wood, an outer covering of lead for said bottom side end and having portions thereof of greater width than the sides and ends of the casing, a Wooden cover for the said casing, alead cover for the wooden cover and the upper portion of the covering for the sides and end of the casing being folded over the lead cover and lead-burned thereto.

2. A grave vault comprising a box like structure'formed of soft metal and compris- 'ing a bottom, side and end Walls and a cover plate; a continuous internal flange extending along the inner faces of the side and end Walls and spaced downwardly from the uppermost edges of said side and end walls, said cover plate resting on said continuous flange, and saidV side and end walls having the upper portions thereof foldable over said cover plate and lead-burned to said cover plate, together with a collapsible lining for said box like structure comprising seperable side, end, top and bottom members, said top member being confined between said continuous iange and the cover plate aforementioned.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HOMER I. MCARTHUR. 

